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Results: Hebrew Words |
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Jewish
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abbr.= abbreviated |
esp.= especially |
Heb.= Hebrew |
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lit.= literally |
n= noun |
pl.= plural |
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pron.= pronounced |
usu.= usually |
v= verb |
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Yid.= Yiddish |
Common Hebrew Phrases |
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A mezuzah (Hebrew: מזוזה)
(plural: mezuzot (מזוזות)) is a piece of
parchment (usually contained in a
decorative case) inscribed with specified
Hebrew verses from the Torah. A mezuza is
affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes.
Many families place a mezuzah only on the
front door, but observant Jews hang one on
every doorway in the home apart from
bathrooms, walk-in closets, pantries, or
other spaces not used for residential
purposes.
The inscribed verses are from the Shema
prayer, which begins with the words "Hear,
O Israel." The text appears in Deuteronomy
6:4-9 and 11:13-21. The parchment is
prepared by a qualified scribe (a "sofer
stam") who has undergone many years of
meticulous training. The verses are
written in indelible black ink with a
special quill pen. The Hebrew word "Shaddai"
is inscribed on the back of the parchment,
which is then rolled up and placed inside
the mezuzah case. Many mezuzah cases are
marked with the Hebrew letter "Shin,"
which stands for "Shaddai." |
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Affixing the mezuzah
According to
halacha, the mezuzah should be
placed on the right side of the door
(from the point of view of the person
entering the room), on the lower part of
the upper third of the doorpost (i.e.,
approximately shoulder height, within
approximately 3 inches of the doorway
opening. A minority opinion is that the
mezuzah should be affixed on the side
opposite the hinge. In either case,
halacha requires that mezuzot be
affixed within 30 days of moving into a
rented house or apartment. This applies
to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e.
outside Israel). For a purchased home or
apartment in the Diaspora, or a
residence in Israel (owned or rented),
the mezuzah is affixed immediately upon
moving in. The case can be affixed to
the doorpost with nails, screws, glue,
or double-sided tape. Wrapping the
scroll in plastic wrap before placing it
in the case will protect it from the
elements. Care should be taken not tear
or damage the parchment or the wording
on it, as this will invalidate the
mezuzah .
Where the doorway is wide enough,
Ashkenazi Jews and Spanish and
Portuguese Jews tilt the case so that
the top slants toward the room into
which the door opens. This is done to
accommodate the variant opinions of
Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it
should be placed horizontally or
vertically and also to imply that God
and the Torah (which the mezuzah is a
symbol for) are coming into the room.
Ottoman Sephardim and some other
non-Ashkenazi Jewish groups have
traditionally affixed the case
vertically.
The procedure is to hold the mezuzah
against the spot upon which it will be
affixed, then recite a blessing:
.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ
הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשַׁנוּ
בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לִקְבּוֹעַ
מְזוּזָה
Barukh atta Adonai eloheinu melekh
haolam, asher qiddeshanu bemiṣvotav
veṣivvanu liqboa mezuza.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of
the Universe, Who sanctified us with His
mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a
mezuzah.
Any Jew can recite the blessing provided
he or she is old enough to understand
the significance of the mitzvah. After
the blessing, the mezuzah is attached.
When affixing several mezuzot, it is
sufficient to recite the blessing once,
before affixing the first one. |
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